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US envoy calls for removal of bureaucratic hurdles to attract investment
He noted that Bangladesh was the first country in the region to sign an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States.
Daily Sun Report, Chattogram
Published: 28 Oct 2026, 11:04 PM
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen noted that Bangladesh was the first country in the region to sign an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States. Photo: Courtesy
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen has stressed the need to remove regulatory complexities and bureaucratic barriers and ensure a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment in Bangladesh.
He made the remarks at an exchange of views with leaders of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and businesspeople at the World Trade Centre in Chattogram on 28 October.
The ambassador said the US government attaches the highest importance to expanding trade and economic relations with Bangladesh. He noted that Bangladesh was the first country in the region to sign an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States.
The agreement creates opportunities to simplify customs procedures, develop infrastructure, reduce corruption, ensure international labour rights and improve product quality, he said.
However, the ambassador pointed to delays in clearing goods at Chattogram Port and various non-tariff barriers affecting import and export trade. He said removing unnecessary restrictions, such as radioactive testing requirements for imported food products, could expedite customs clearance, maintain product quality and boost trade with the United States.
Christensen also highlighted opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, noting that Bangladesh and the United States had signed a memorandum of understanding on liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.
He said there was also potential for cooperation in nuclear technology, particularly electricity generation using small modular nuclear reactors. The United States was interested in expanding trade in other promising sectors, including agricultural products, information and communication technology and aviation.
The ambassador urged the chamber and other business organisations to play an effective role in formulating business-friendly policies, removing trade barriers and attracting foreign investment. He also stressed the importance of maintaining close contact and cooperation with US business representatives to further strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
CCCI President Mohammad Amirul Haque said Chattogram could become a genuine economic and logistics hub for the region if Chattogram Port, the proposed deep-sea ports at Matarbari and Sonadia, the Bay Terminal and Chattogram Airport were developed, with the airport transformed into a modern aviation logistics hub.
He said logistics accounted for the largest share of business costs for entrepreneurs in Chattogram and Bangladesh, reaching as much as 40 per cent. Reducing the cost to 6–7 per cent could accelerate business growth, he said, calling on US investors to invest in Bangladesh's multimodal logistics sector.
Haque also said Chattogram had three export processing zones and a large specialised economic zone. He sought the US ambassador's support in attracting American investment and enhancing the capacity of businesses in these zones to help Bangladesh achieve a trillion-dollar economy by 2034.
CCCI Senior Vice-President Md Amjad Hossain Chowdhury called for US investment in backward linkages in Bangladesh's textile sector, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and high-tech and artificial intelligence-based industries. He also stressed the need to strengthen bilateral relations between business communities in the two countries.
Among those who spoke at the meeting were US Embassy Commercial Counsellor Paul Frost, former CCCI president Engineer Ali Ahmed, former senior vice-president MA Salam, former vice-president Syed Mohammad Tanvir, former directors SM Abu Tayeb, Dr Moinul Islam Mahmud, Rahbar A Anwar and Rakibur Rahman Tutul, current chamber director Akhtar Parvez, BSRM Group Managing Director Amir Ali Hossain and Sunshine Grammar School Principal Safia Rahman Ghazi.
Former CCCI president Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury, Daily Azadi Editor MA Malek and Managing Editor Wahid Malek, CCCI Vice-President Mohammad Mashiul Alam Swapan and other chamber directors were also present.
US Embassy officials attending the meeting included Labour Attaché Leena Khan, Economic Officer John Brunsdale, security official Aric Wells and Economic Specialist Asif Ahmed.